When Thunder Rolled

When Thunder Rolled is a first-hand account of F-105 combat missions during the Vietnam War, written by fighter pilot Ed Rasimus. The memoir covers his 100-mission tour in 1966-67 flying out of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. The book details the daily routines, missions, and challenges faced by U.S. Air Force pilots conducting bombing runs into North Vietnam. Rasimus describes the technical aspects of flying the F-105 Thunderchief and the realities of air combat operations from mission planning through execution. Through mission-by-mission narration, Rasimus documents the progression of the air war and its escalating intensity during this period. The text includes accounts of interactions with fellow pilots, superior officers, and support personnel at the base. The memoir stands as both a historical record and a testament to the psychological toll of sustained combat flying. It captures the tension between military duty and personal survival that defined the air war experience for many pilots.

Readers appreciate the raw, day-to-day account of F-105 missions over North Vietnam, with many noting the book captures the realities of combat flying without embellishment. Multiple veterans who served in similar roles confirm the accuracy of the details and atmosphere described. Readers highlight the clear writing style, technical accuracy, and balance between mission descriptions and personal experiences. Several reviewers mention feeling like they were "in the cockpit" during the intense mission sequences. Main criticism focuses on the abrupt ending and limited coverage of events outside of missions. Some readers wanted more context about the broader war situation. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 from 456 ratings Amazon: 4.7/5 from 322 ratings Representative review: "Rasimus puts you right there in the cockpit - sweating, swearing and dodging SAMs with him. No sugar coating or false bravado, just the real deal." - Amazon reviewer

Thud Ridge by Jack Broughton A fighter pilot's first-hand account of flying F-105s over North Vietnam details the same missions and timeframe as Rasimus from a squadron commander's perspective.

Palace Cobra by Ed Rasimus The sequel to When Thunder Rolled follows Rasimus's second combat tour in Vietnam flying F-4 Phantoms in 1972.

100 Missions North by Ken Bell A F-105 pilot's memoir captures the experiences of flying dangerous missions over North Vietnam from 1966-1967 from Takhli Air Base.

Bomber Pilot by Philip Ardery This World War II B-24 pilot's combat narrative shares the same focus on mission details and pilot experiences that characterizes Rasimus's writing.

Fast Movers by John Sherwood The stories of Navy and Air Force fighter pilots who flew combat missions during the Vietnam War provides multiple perspectives on experiences similar to those in Thunder.

🔸 Ed Rasimus flew 250 combat missions during two tours in Southeast Asia, serving in both F-105 and F-4 fighter aircraft during the Vietnam War 🔸 The book's title refers to the sound of F-105 Thunderchiefs (nicknamed "Thuds") taking off with full afterburner, which created a distinctive rolling thunder effect 🔸 The F-105 Thunderchief was the largest single-seat, single-engine combat aircraft in history, capable of carrying a heavier bomb load than a World War II B-17 bomber 🔸 Pilots flying missions over North Vietnam faced one of the most sophisticated air defense systems ever created, with over 8,000 anti-aircraft guns and hundreds of surface-to-air missiles 🔸 The author completed his first tour at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, known as the "Fighting Bulls," where survival rate for pilots was approximately 50%